Muryeong of Baekje | |
Hangul | 무령왕, 무녕왕, 무영왕 |
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Hanja | 武寧王 |
Revised Romanization | Muryeong-wang, Munyeong-wang, Muyeong-wang |
McCune–Reischauer | Muryǒng-wang, Munyǒng-wang, Muyǒng-wang |
Birth name | |
Hangul | 사마, 융 |
Hanja | 斯摩, 隆 |
Revised Romanization | Sama, Yung |
McCune–Reischauer | Sama, Yung |
Monarchs of Korea Baekje |
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Muryeong of Baekje (462–523, r. 501–23) was the 25th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. During his reign, Baekje remained allied with Silla against Goguryeo, and expanded its relationships with China and Japan.
The Tomb of King Muryeong calls him King Sama (斯摩), and records his birth year as 462.
The Samguk Sagi calls him King Muryeong, with the personal name (휘) of Sama (斯摩). He is described as the second son of the 24th king Dongseong. He became king when Dongseong was assassinated by the court official Baekga. The following year, he crushed a planned rebellion by Baekga.
China's Liang shu gives his surname as Yeo and personal name as Yung, and states that he restored Baekje into a strong nation.
Japan's Nihonshoki gives his birth year as 461, and describes him as the son of the 21st king Gaero. It is said Gonji, the brother of King Gaero went to Japan to serve Emperor Yūryaku with King Muryeong's mother, and she went into labor as their ship was passing by a small Japanese island. He was called Semakishi (嶋君) and King Shima (斯麻王) in Japanese records because he was born in an island.
Some scholars claim Muryeong ruled the Yamato region under the name of King Bu before he moved to Baekje to be a king of kings(大王).
In 501, he sent an army to attack Goguryeo's Sugok-seong. In 503, he repelled an attack by the Mohe. In 507, he successfully countered another attack by Goguryeo and Mohe forces. In 512, Goguryeo conquered two castles, but Muryeong personally led 3,000 men to destroy the Goguryeo army. In 523, he ordered the building of a fortified wall to defend the northern border.